Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

My cousins from Italy recently came for a visit. We agreed to meet at Mike’s in Davis Square. Alfonso and his wife and three kids showed up and we did hugs and introductions. They did well taking the Red Line to Davis.

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Lo-fi art takes over Somerville, MA. The 10th anniversary celebration of the Somerville Toy Camera Festival (STCF) takes place at the Nave Gallery, Brickbottom Gallery and Washington Street Gallery, making it among the largest toy camera festivals in the world.

The Tufts Administration Building (TAB). — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jim Clark

A special meeting of the Somerville City Council was held virtually on Thursday, August 31. The primary focus of the meeting involved responding to a request by Mayor Katjana Ballantyne that the Council approve a 1.5-year lease for the Tufts Administration Building (TAB), from September 1, 2023 through February 28, 2025.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

By Chris Dwan

Somerville has dozens of committees, commissions, working groups, and task forces who advise the city on various topics. Attending meetings of these groups, whether as a visitor or a full member, is one of the best ways to get involved with local government, meet city staff, and connect with local folks who share your interests.

On August 15, 2023, the Center for Arts at the Armory (CAA) held an important hybrid in-person and virtual community (Zoom video recording available via the link below) during which the community expressed strong support for CAA and deep frustration with the City of Somerville’s fumbling of the Armory since acquiring it through eminent domain in May 2021. At the meeting, CAA presented its case for a petition which makes the points below.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

By Will Mbah
Candidate for Somerville City Councilor at Large

During the summer I was able to bring the kids to several of the city’s parks, both to take part in organized programs and just to hang out with dad and mom under the trees. It got me thinking about the jobs that our talented parks managers and urban foresters must do every day to keep the network of open spaces and tree-lined streets in good shape for us all.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville Department of Veterans’ Services invite residents to a remembrance ceremony marking the anniversary of 9/11. On Monday, September 11, the city will hold a procession and memorial ceremony to recognize the 22nd anniversary of 9/11. Anyone interested in joining the procession should meet at the Cedar Street entrance to the Community Path at 8:30 a.m. A speaking program and wreath laying ceremony will follow at approximately 9:00 a.m. at the 9/11 memorial in Davis Square, with the presentation and retiring of the colors by the Somerville Police and Somerville Fire Honor Guards. For more information, email veterans@somervillema.gov or call 617-625-6600 ext. 4700. 

Eagle Feathers #287 – Dropping Anchor

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Somerville’s nautical history and its environs go way back. It is believed that Vikings explored the Charles and Mystic Rivers’ shores from 1000-1004, five hundred years before Columbus. In the 1600’s, our location was a fledgling tidal island christened “Charlestown Beyond the Neck.” Its watery perimeter was made up of the Mystic River to the north, the Alewife Brook to the west, the Tannery Brook and the Miller’s River to the south, and the Charles River with its millponds to the east.